Two arrested for allegedly impersonating police officers

Two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, respectively, have been arrested for allegedly impersonating police officers.

On 6 April, the police received a report of a group of young men claiming to be police officers and soliciting donations in public using aggressive tactics.

Videos posted online showed the teens demanding donations from students at Punggol MRT.

The two were arrested on 9 April (Sunday).

Investigations are ongoing. If found guilty of impersonating a public servant, the duo could be jailed for up to two years and fined.

The police are also investigating the company the teens were working with for possible breach of regulations under the House to House and Street Collections Act. Anyone found guilty of soliciting donations without a valid licence faces a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a jail term of up to two years.

The police would like to remind the public to be vigilant and wary of persons who may impersonate police officers.

When in doubt, members of the public should ask to look at the police officer’s warrant card to verify his identity before complying with any of his or her instructions.

A genuine warrant card will have identification features such as the police crest, the photo of the officer, his name and NRIC number. When the card is tilted at an angle, the holographic word “Police” will also appear below the officer’s photograph.

If they are still unsure of the person’s credentials, they should call 999 for assistance.